BMC Christmas Message: 80 Years & Beyond!
Dear Member, In 1944, Geoffrey Winthrop-Young, President of the Alpine Club, brought about a motion to create the BMC, a representative body to represent and speak on behalf of all climbers in Britain. As we turn the corner on our 80th year it’s important to remember our history and the vision of our founding member Clubs as we look to what better looks like for the BMC in 2025.
In my short tenure so far, as your CEO, we have had to face and overcome some unprecedented challenges in 2024. The main thing I've learned though is what binds us together, and for me that is that we all want to have our own adventures and to challenge ourselves, whether that is getting to the top of a local crag, walking up a favourite hill or climbing to the top of an Alpine peak. The BMC throughout its history has always found a way to climb out of difficult periods, and we now leave 2024 climbing a better route.
I wanted to shine a light on a few of the highlights for me in 2024;
- Lobbying for more access closer to home: The launch of the BMC Access Land film in February underscored the very essence of our mission: fighting for equitable access to the outdoors for everyone. We also made significant strides in access agreements at several crags such as Carn Gowla and others. It was a powerful reminder of why we exist as an organisation.
- Restoring damaged paths: The BMC Access and Conservation Trust delivered seven Mend Our Mountains projects, helping to repair some of our best-loved paths such as 2,000m of footpath at Haytor Rocks. We’ve also helped train the next generation of conservationist through the Get Stuck In Project.
- Committing to reach Net Zero by 2040: we launched our Climate and Sustainability Action Plan to reach net zero by 2040. We are also the first Mountaineering organisation to join the UN Sport for Nature and encourage everyone to plant some sphagnum.
- Celebrating Competition Climbing: we’ve had an extraordinary year: delivering over 40 competitions from YCS events through to the Ice Climbing Continental Cup. The 2024 Paris Games were a highlight, with Toby, Erin, Hamish and Molly giving their all and ultimately one of the most inspiring moments came when Toby Roberts stood on the podium in Le Bourget, gold medal around his neck.
- Improving equity and diversity: The ClimbOut Festival for the LBGTQ+ community saw its second event in May, and new for 2024, Wanderers of Colour Festival took place in July – a celebration of people of colour in the outdoors. We also partnered with the YHA through to help deliver a Festival of Walking from 50 Youth Hostels across England and Wales.
Looking ahead to 2025, we’re excited to bring everyone together to help shape the future of the BMC as we develop a new five-year strategy. If you haven’t already, I encourage you to take a moment to complete our survey and share your thoughts on how we can make the BMC even stronger in the years ahead.
Your support has been more important than ever this year as we’ve aimed to continue pushing forward across all our key areas of work. I want to take this opportunity to say thank you whether through volunteering your time, attending area meetings or simply subscribing to our newsletters - we've been able to achieve so much this year.
Lastly, I’d like to wish you all a great holiday season and I hope you can all enjoy some time climbing the hills, walls, rock or high mountains with family and friends wherever you are. I’ll be spending my break climbing my favourite fells in the Langdale Valley and around Brothers Water in the Lake District.
Here’s to a happy and healthy 2025.
Warmest regards,
Paul Ratcliffe
CEO